Guilt-free non-working days are the future

Rapleys Wellbeing Day, 20th November 2024

By Jamie Johnson, Surveyor in the Commercial division and Victoria Bennion, Planning Associate

When Rapleys launched its People Plan in 2023, there were a lot of initiatives to digest – an annual wellbeing day being one of them. The first one last year was more of a suggestion and, whilst many took it up, it wasn’t quite as obvious what we were trying to achieve.

This year however, all staff had it in the diary from early in the year and were able to plan ahead if we wanted to. It also meant we could look forward to the day and know, without doubt, that we would not have access to emails or any sort of work.

Both of us had been super busy leading up to the day but had managed to plan in a day of no contact with work topics and an activity. As it was just one day we were both able to leave our phones and emails behind. In fact, interestingly, it was a lot easier to switch off than when on previous annual leave where both of us have been guilty of taking calls and answering emails. We were also able to make clients aware in advance and they were happy for us to take such a break.

Whilst Jamie spent the day having a round of golf with colleagues Geoff Sayer and Ryan Vale (also in Rapleys’ Commercial division), Victoria embarked on a two-hour ski lesson and shopping, both of which were enjoyed immensely with zero guilt.

We feel very lucky to be part of a business that not only encourages its people to have this day but enforces it. Many of our friends in the industry were envious and are taking the idea to their own employers but this isn’t the only thing that we receive for our wellbeing – we also take our birthdays off, we have a volunteering day for charity and all of our people get this from day one.

How does this make us feel? Like we are valued and trusted as employees, and in return we want to be loyal, committed and work even harder to repay that trust and value.

It’s a wonder that initiatives like this have taken so long to catch on in property, let’s hope they spread fast.